Scruffy City Film & Music Festival is happening Thursday through Sunday and will celebrate music, film and the combination of the two.
Submitted by Michael Samstag, Knoxville News Sentinel

Unknown Hinson performs at Scruffy City Hall as part of a previous Scruffy City Film & Music Festival. The festival is returning this year for four days of concerts, film screenings, panel discussions and more.(Photo: Bill Foster)

Music and film? Knoxville has both

"There's a lot of creative people in town," Samstag said. "There is a big film community here in Knoxville — a lot, in part, because there's such a vast amount of television production that happens here."

Before the Scruffy City festival was formed four years ago, another film festival was held in Knoxville — Knoxville Films. When Samstag heard it would not continue in 2010, he decided to keep the tradition going.

A live Q&A is held at the 2017 Scruffy City Film & Music Festival after a screening of "Adele and Everything After."(Photo: Bonnie Samtesto)

The festival operated for a few years before Samstag said it was time to rebrand, shifting focus to film, music and the combination of the two.

"I've always had a love for music in film," he said. "And we have such great music venues here, it just seemed like the natural way."

Those venues are now part of the festival and include Boyd's Jig & Reel and Preservation Pub. However, Scruffy City Hall is the hosting venue and the inspiration for the festival's name.

A unique festival in a unique venue

Scott West, owner of Scruffy City Hall, has been involved with the festival since its inception, Samstag said.

The venue will show 40 films, including seven feature films, throughout the festival's four days.

The headlining film is "American Folk," a story about two folk musicians who meet and take a road trip to New York in the days after 9/11.

The film currently has a 79 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and stars acclaimed folk singers Amber Rubarth and Joe Purdy.

Festivalgoers watch a concert at a previous Scruffy City Film & Music Festival. This year's festival will last four days and will include live music, film screenings, panel discussions and an awards ceremony.(Photo: Bill Foster)

"The films are better than ever," Samstag said. "All of the films were submitted to us. When you open up your email and see some of these amazing feature films, it's really gratifying."

Samstag said roughly 300 films were submitted this year from more than 40 countries. A committee has been tasked with selecting which ones will be screened and which ones deserve awards across multiple categories.

People wait to get inside Scruffy City Hall for a previous Scruffy City Film & Music Festival in downtown Knoxville.(Photo: Bill Foster)

"The one common thread is that if the score or soundtrack isn't outstanding, it won't even be considered," Samstag said.

Samstag said the festival could accommodate more film screenings, but he wanted each film to be viewed in a prime-time slot by as many people as possible.

Between 70 and 120 people can fit inside for a screening at Scruffy City Hall, which Samstag said is a major draw for the festival.

"That's what people love about it — it's such a great gathering spot," he said. "Who doesn't want to be able to have a beverage while watching a film? And just having access to the roof and the patios. ... That's one of the best parts about the festival."

'Like being a rock star'

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"Now there are so many online portals that there are more ways than ever to get your film distributed," he said. "Certainly (festivals) still are a big push. ... Really, though, it’s about that audience feedback, promotion and getting a review.”

But even if films aren't well-received, film festivals still can provide an environment that's enjoyable for festivalgoers and filmmakers.

"The festival in itself is a blast," Samstag said. "It's kind of like being a rock star. ... Being around other filmmakers is always a great time.”

But there will be way more than films on display at the festival.

Singing, scoring and more

Two concerts at Scruffy City Hall will specifically focus on highlighting music in film.

The first will happen Friday when composer Will Wright performs a live score of "Harry Potter." The second event is the "3001 Space Jam," which will feature Knoxville band Milkshake Fatty performing music to science-fiction backdrops.

Other concerts will take place throughout the weekend at Preservation Pub, WDVX and Boyd's Jig & Reel.

People watch a movie screening at a previous Scruffy City Film & Music Festival at Scruffy City Hall in downtown Knoxville.(Photo: Bill Foster)

The Holler Performing Arts Center also will host a variety of acts, including comedy and DJing.

The center will even host a discussion with composer Snuffy Walden, an award-winning TV film composer known for creating the opening song for "The West Wing." Walden also is the focus of a film being shown at the festival.

“There’s something special about all of the feature films, but obviously the Snuffy Walden film — just to have him there — is a real treat,” Samstag said.

Want to go? Here's how

Shows at WDVX and Boyd's Jig & Reel will be free, Samstag said. People have the option to pay for other shows and screenings individually or purchase festival passes for the entire weekend.

A full festival pass costs $50 and gets you access to all screenings and events at each venue.

The $75 VIP passes will get you the same access, plus reserved seating for screenings, a VIP gift bag and a Sunday lunch with composers and filmmakers at Central Filling Station.